Rep. Tom Emmer
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) this week introduced a bill to hasten mental healthcare funding for rural and agricultural communities, and two other bills that would prioritize federal funds for critical infrastructure projects.
On Jan. 6, Rep. Emmer sponsored the Stemming the Tide of Rural Economic Stress and Suicide (STRESS) under COVID-19 Act, H.R. 220, with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), which would make supplemental appropriations to carry out farm stress programs, and provide for expedited additional support under the farm and ranch stress assistance network, according to the text of the bill.
Calling it “a vital piece of legislation,” Rep. Emmer said H.R. 220 will improve the Farm Ranch Stress Assistance Network, which provides mental health assistance to the agricultural community. “The improvements include expedited disbursement of funds during the COVID-19 outbreak to develop mental and emotional health resources for farmers and agricultural workers,” the congressman said.
Specifically, H.R. 220 instructs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speed awards under the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, which connects farmers, ranchers and other agriculture-related workers to mental health and stress assistance resources.
If enacted, the bill also would provide an additional $10 million for this fiscal year, and increase the funds authorized to be used in the next four years by $20 million to provide more resources to the agriculture community, according to Rep. Emmer’s office.
“Coronavirus disrupted our nation’s supply chain as well as the lives of our producers, yet they were still expected to keep our grocery shelves stocked,” explained Rep. Emmer. “These Americans are the backbone of a supply chain that feeds the nation. They deserve our support and our attention. This legislation will ensure that those in need have the proper mental health resources available.”
The other two bills sponsored on Jan. 5 by Rep. Emmer set aside funds dedicated to making sure intersections, interchanges and structurally deficient bridges are safe and congestion is relieved.
The National Interchange/Intersection Safety Construction Program Act, H.R. 200, would direct the U.S. Transportation Secretary to establish a national intersection and interchange safety construction program, while the National Bridge Replacement and Improvement Act, H.R. 201, would require the secretary to establish a national bridge replacement and improvement program, according to the congressional record bill summaries.
“Transportation infrastructure improvements are vitally important to Minnesotans who know the potholes that need repair and roads that need more lanes, like on highways 10, 35, and 94,” said Rep. Emmer. “Much worse than potholes, Minnesotans all remember a bridge collapse that took the lives of 13 and injured 145. It is a disservice to Minnesotans that we do not have proper roadways and transportation routes for safe travel.”
Both H.R. 200 and H.R. 201 have been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.